No fatalities

18 Oct 2011: PIPER PA-18-150 — Brookings, SD

Brookings, SD, United States

On 18 Oct 2011, a PIPER PA-18-150 was involved in an aviation accident near Brookings, SD. No fatalities were reported. Investigators recorded the probable cause as: The pilot's inadequate compensation for gusty wind conditions while landing. This summary draws on records from NTSB; 12 related events involving the same aircraft type or operator are linked below.

SourcesNTSBPrimary reportUpdated 1778583330Data APIEditorial standards

A tailwheel airplane encountered wind gusts during landing rollout, causing a swerve and subsequent ground impact. The pilot aborted the landing, but the right wing struck the ground. Substantial damage occurred.

Incident Overview

A pilot reported that a tailwheel-equipped airplane experienced a wind gust during the landing rollout on runway 35. The gust lifted the left wing, causing the airplane to swerve to the right. In response, the pilot applied full engine power to abort the landing. However, another wind gust further lifted the left wing, leading to the right wing impacting the ground. The airplane subsequently came to rest in a field adjacent to the runway.

Damage and Mechanical Status

The accident resulted in substantial damage to the engine firewall, wings, and fuselage. The pilot stated that there were no preimpact mechanical malfunctions or failures that would have precluded normal operation.

Weather Conditions

The airport's weather station reported wind from the north-northwest at 15 knots, with gusts to 24 knots at the time of the incident.

Sequence of Events

During the landing rollout on runway 35, a wind gust lifted the left wing, causing the airplane to swerve right. The pilot initiated an aborted landing by applying full engine power, but a subsequent wind gust further raised the left wing, forcing the right wing into the ground. The airplane then skidded to a stop in a field beside the runway. No other details about the flight or pilot were provided in the source.

Contributing factors

Causes

Directional control — Not attained/maintainedPilot

Other contributing factors

Response/compensation